Van with soccer awards stolen; man arrested

A 41-year-old man faces theft charges after a van containing equipment and awards was stolen from a soccer tournament, police said yesterday.

The man, an Oceanside resident who worked for the tournament, was found near Santa Barbara about three hours after the van was reported stolen early Saturday, an Oceanside police spokesman said. A California Highway Patrol officer spotted the van stopped on the side of the road.

Authorities quickly returned the van to Oceanside with minimal disruption to the tournament, which was being held at Harbor Beach, the spokesman said.

The man was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession of stolen property. –J.L.J.